5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (Full Version)

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5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks

  

Hummbug -> 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/16/2008 1:40:24 PM)

Hey,

I'm just checking in to see if anyone else here shares my experience. I've got a red '07 Tactical with the 5 speed manual transmission with about 14,000 miles and it is the single worst transmission on any vehicle I have ever owned in thirty years of driving. Half the time it doesn't want to go into first gear without pulling it into second and then into first, and getting it into second is no picnic. From third to fourth I bang into the gate and have to pull it left to get it to drop in, with resistance. Sometimes, if I back into a parking space and leave it parked in reverse it does not want to come out of reverse and into nuetral. I'm not talking about a little resistance at any of these locations, I'm talking about having to slam it to get it where I want it. The dealer says, "Yeah it's bad, but not bad enough to pull the tranny," and, "It's going to get worse before it gets better," and, "You've got a five year warranty on it so just drive it like you stole it." None of this is very comforting and it doesn't make my transmission any less hateful. I know that I'm not doing the tranny any favors by forcing it into gear, but that's the advice from the service department.

I've read on a number of posts here that many people say their H3 manual tranny is the smoothest they've ever driven. Does anyone else have a manual that sucks or am I alone in this?

Thanks,

HB

  
HummerGuy -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/16/2008 1:47:40 PM)

I think you are alone. I've had 6+ sticks in my life and I'm 32, and this is by far the smoothest and easiest shifting vehicle I've had. The throw is shorter then my Camaro was, the clutch is smooth and after 53k miles, it catches like it did with 1 mile on it.

There is definitely something wrong. I wouldn't take that reasoning your dealer gave you as a dismissal of your problem. You should have them open it up and fix it.

Welcome to the forum [;)]

cbetts -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/16/2008 2:14:52 PM)

I agree with HummerGuy, this has been one of the smoothest trannies I have had.

I tend to drive mine pretty hard. I have just over 30,000 miles and everything is good. It almost sounds like your clutch is not fully disengaging.

White08H3 -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/16/2008 3:01:32 PM)

When reading this I thought the whole time that the clutch is getting stuck. I have never been in the stick-shift H3, but I have heard good things about them. I am surprised this has happened.

alrock -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/16/2008 3:10:59 PM)

Hummbug, have you tried using that pedal on the far left? It might smooth things out a bit [:D][:D][:D]. But seriously, try another dealer's service. Or, find a dealer with 5 speed in stock, test drive it and compare. NO tranny should be as rough as you describe and everyone on this forum that has the 5 speed seems to like it (I'm stuck with an auto).

n0m4d -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/16/2008 5:11:02 PM)

My 5-speed was really smooth when i first got it, it would shift with a nudge with 2 fingers.  About 12k miles in it starting acting up.  Now at about 20k i need to clench the shifter and jam it into gear.  It never goes straight into 1st, i always need to go to 2nd then up to first.  Took it into the dealer and they told me that it was normal operation for cold weather (it does it in warm weather too).  They gave me a document on how to shift a manual (which was completely insulting).  It now reminds me of how the 72 Ford pickup I had in High School shifted.  Does anyone know if this is the same trans that is in the Sky and Solstice?

cbetts -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/16/2008 5:21:08 PM)

quote:

Does anyone know if this is the same trans that is in the Sky and Solstice?

Man I hope not! I hate driving my wife's solstice . . . tranny is very unforgiving . . .

quote:

i always need to go to 2nd then up to first

This has always been my habit. I was a truck driver for five years. Still, mine goes into first nice and smooth. I am still convinced your cluth is not disengaging all the way. Sounds like you are fighting the synchros. It is true that they require a little more "gentleness" when cold . . . but not that much.

machines -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/16/2008 5:22:38 PM)

smooth as silk, never a problem with my 2007, drive quite a bit, already have 68,500 miles on her

blue dog -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/16/2008 5:48:55 PM)

Mine shifts good and is so short compared to my F150 the only issue I have is on the 4th to 3rd down shift it is tight if I rush it but I put that down to me as I still go to shift like the 150 and over extend the pattern sometimes.
Shifting into 1st goes in with a positive click with out a problem but I do tend to shift 2nd to 1st another 150 habit.
I would try another dealer and see what they say it does sound as if you have a clutch or synchro problem.


rhill20 -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/16/2008 6:56:58 PM)

I have only test driven a manual hummer but it seemed nice. That's what I was originally looking for but they said that they didn't make the Tactical Edition with a stick[8|]

Steve #1 -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/17/2008 7:34:46 AM)

Hummbug:

If you are stopped with the engine running and the transmission in neutral for 10 seconds or so, you will need to do one of three things to get the synchronizer spinning at the same speed as the shaft.

1) The owners manual says to double clutch.  If it won't go in to first, release the clutch, then press it again then engage 1st gear.

2) Instead of forcing the transmission in to 1st when it wont engage, apply slight pressure for 1 sec or so, release the pressure, then attempt to re-engage.

3) This is my preferred method, go to 1st via 2nd.  At one point I had a vehicle that you almost always had to do this with and now I always do it out of habit

Your third to forth shift issue sounds like you are just missing the gate, or maybe you have bent something trying to force it in to the other gears.  Also, fourth gear is not synchronized.  How does it shift from 3 - 4 with the engine off?

Reverse is not synchronized and I'm not sure how it is setup in the AR5.  If you are getting stuck in reverse after being parked, do one of two things:

1) Take it out of reverse before you start the engine

2) Release the clutch just a bit to move the vehicle then take it out of reverse.


n0m4d:

Yes, the Aisin AR5 is also used in the Sky / Solstice


cbetts -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/17/2008 8:00:10 AM)

quote:

Yes, the Aisin AR5 is also used in the Sky / Solstice


O_O

Holy cow! I guess I can argue with my wife now. If it is in the Hummer, It should be able to handle second-gear rubber in the Solstice!

Nah . . . I like being married!


[image]local://upfiles/2250/68D1A46D857642F797D03B7C20061060.jpg[/image]

Desert Dan -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/17/2008 8:06:58 AM)

No issues with my 5-speed.  It's time to change the fluid though.

I'm a bit worried that the trans is at it's limit with the weight of the H3 so we'll see how it works in the long term.

TexH3 -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/17/2008 8:50:26 AM)

Back to the original post:  Tell the dealership service manager that it's barely driveable and you want the sonovabitch fixed . . . now!!!

Gunz -> RE: 5 Speed Manual Trans a Box of Rocks (4/17/2008 11:12:17 AM)

Im with TexH3, dont give the dealer the option as you drive it. Kindly tell him to fix it or its going in the showroom through the glass as it would be the tranny slipping out of gear and beyond your control! Tell him you drove it just like he said, like you stole it!

  

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